Newsletter #2 - Mother Christine

J.M. + J.T.

Hello dear Auxiliary Members,

Mother Christine of Mary and the Most Holy Spirit, O.C.D.

There is no note from Mother Mary Bethany this time because I am giving the Sisters respite from their long week last week. As you know, Mother Christine had gone to the Father on October 17, and was buried on October 23. I would like to share some memories of those events with you.

Mother Christine was passionate about Our Lady of Mount Carmel, passionate about her vocation, passionate about the success of this Monastery. She spent every hour working to fulfill God’s will for her life as the Prioress of this monastery. With great love for God and for her fellow nuns, she labored tirelessly, through prayer and sacrifice, to be the best Carmelite that she could be. She offered her life for the salvation of souls, for the remission of sin, and for the greater good of all she encountered. Her leadership was impeccable and she was true to the Carmelite charism, living humbly and praying ceaselessly for all of us in Sacramento Diocese, and especially for our priests. One of her last goals was to see the Auxiliary reinstituted. The seals on this Newsletter were commissioned by her, as was the cute little wallet card you have received.

Her funeral Mass was officiated by Auxiliary Bishop Cotta and five priests. Several sisters from Mother Theresa’s Missionaries of Charity attended as well. The chapel was packed with friends. The nuns sang almost every song in Spanish, in honor of St. Teresa of Jesus. They sounded like angels! At the end of Mass and the final blessing and prayers over the coffin, we proceeded to the adjoining cemetery, where Mother was interred next to the other Mothers and nuns who have been with this great yet humble society since they were founded in Sacramento in 1935. All the congregants, priests, and all the nuns formed a large circle around the site as the Bishop gave the final blessings. There were not many dry eyes.

While Mother will be missed greatly, everyone is sure that she is already in heaven with God our Father, looking down at us and praying to the Father for us. We feel we have a powerful intercessor in her, along with Mother Mary Serafine, Mother Mary Ann, and all the Carmelites who have gone before her.

And now, a little news. November 6th is fast approaching. On that Friday, any member who would like to help is invited here to work on a quilt. You are invited to begin with Mass at 8:00, and then proceed to the St. John Villa. I think we have 6 sewing machines coming, a couple of ironing boards and irons, and many helping hands. It would be nice if you are coming and are not bringing heavy equipment, if you could please bring a dish to share for lunch. I will make sure there are fruit, muffins, and coffee for breakfast. If you can bring something to share for lunch, please contact me so I know. I am guessing we will have a dozen women here to make the quilt that day! We hope to get the quilt cut out and assembled in one day. This quilt will be auctioned off at our luncheon next year. The date still has to be set.

As we head into the holidays, we wish you blessings for your Thanksgiving with your wonderful families. Be assured of the nuns’ prayers for you also. I have been asked to whom we should address checks. The answer is, make checks out to the Carmelite Monastery. Their mailing address is PO Box 4210, Georgetown, CA 95634. Mother Mary Bethany is very capably in charge of the Monastery for now, but checks do not have to have anyone’s name on them specifically.

And feel free to drop in for Mass any time. Mass is every day at 8:00 AM, so you have to rise with the birds! We will send another Newsletter for Advent. Until then,

God bless you and keep you!

In Christ,
Patty MacEgan & Jana Devereux